Obasanjo laid foundation for corruption in Nigeria –Don

A political scientist and speaker at the 39th public
lecture on “Bullet versus Ballot: Interrogating
Nigeria’s 4th Republic Electoral’s Consultations,”
Prof. Adekunle Amuwo, said former President
Olusegun Obasanjo failed Nigeria during his
tenure.
The lecture was organised by the Covenant
University, Ota, Ogun State.
Amuwo, who claimed he had full knowledge of how
Obasanjo emerged the President of the country in
1999, said that the former President’s rule was the
genesis of the level of corruption currently being
experienced in the country.
While saying the Peoples Democratic Party had not
moved Nigeria forward for an inch, he described
Jonathan’s rule as the legacy Obasanjo left behind.
Describing the current political situation as crucial
and critical in the history of the country, he urged
the electorate to change the fortune of the country
by choosing the ‘ballot’ rather than the ‘bullet.’
He said, “We are in a democracy run by
professional non-democrats — men and women
who have the financial muscle to ‘outmuscle’ the
electorate and the rest of the country because
about 70 per cent of the population of Nigeria is
poor.
“In 2001, Obasanjo promised Nigeria would enjoy
24/7 power supply, but he failed. His election in
1999 was massively flawed. He just had to win and
Olu Falae had to lose.
“He represented the Western powers and Africa and
did a lot for the two groups by providing an
enabling business environment for them to thrive.
But he did little for Nigeria.
“He had all the powers to tame the monster of
corruption in the country, but he did not do
anything.
“Things have become so bad that the United States
now threatens that if we don’t compose ourselves,
they would not give us visas. It’s ridiculous.”
Stating that no reforms had been taking place
since President Goodluck Jonathan emerged the
country’s leader, Amuwo said there is structural
violence against the electorate.
“Nigeria can recover. However, the ballot should be
used to do this instead of the bullet,” he said.
Some scholars had, at a consultative meeting of
media scholars and practitioners on the 2015
general elections, said the security of lives and
property of the electorate was important for its
success.
Speaking on behalf of the Chancellor, Covenant
University and founder of the Living Faith Chapel,
the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, said
the programme was aimed at reshaping the
destiny of the country in the forthcoming elections.
“This will hopefully play a major role to improve
the existing security situation in the country before,
during and after the elections,” he said.